Lebanon-Israel ceasefire talks: Latest developments

After two meetings with Speaker Nabih Berri and a night of intensive discussions at the U.S. embassy between Speaker Nabih Berri’s aide Ali Hamdan and members of the U.S. delegation, U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein announced that the reached agreements should be acceptable to Israel, Al-Akhbar newspaper reported on Thursday.

“The nightly discussions were accompanied by phone consultations between Israeli officials and others from the team of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump,” the daily quoted informed sources as saying.

Israeli state media meanwhile quoted senior Israeli officials that an agreement with Lebanon could be reached next week should the disputes over the clauses related to Israeli “freedom of action” and the monitoring committee be resolved.

The Israeli reports also said that 90% of the clauses have been agreed, as Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth quoted sources as saying that Jordan, Egypt and the UAE will take part in strengthening the Lebanese Army’s capabilities.